Communitywide study abroad fair set for Jan. 30

Jan. 22, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- The winter Western Michigan University Study
Abroad Fair will take place on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 30, in the Bernhard Center's South Ballroom.

A free event sponsored by WMU's Office of Study Abroad, the
fair encourages students to consider spending an academic term
studying outside of the United States. It is designed for WMU
students, faculty and staff as well as high school students,
guidance counselors, parents and anyone else who is interested
in learning more about study abroad.

The University puts on two fairs each year. About 600 people
attended the fall event held this past September.

Those who attend the winter offering will be able to learn
about the wide variety of study abroad programs available through
WMU and hundreds of additional programs available through some
30 other universities and organizations that provide programs
to students nationwide. They also will be able to browse 40 booths
and displays and collect helpful information.

Representatives from WMU's faculty, study abroad office, financial
aid and scholarships office, and Sindecuse Health Center will
be on hand to share information and answer questions, along with
representatives from the other participating universities and
organizations.

"This is a chance for people to explore the opportunities
they have to study, live and travel throughout the world,"
says Dr. Sabine C. Klahr, director of WMU's Office of Study Abroad.

"The educational, personal and pre-professional benefits
students gain from studying abroad are essential to succeed in
an increasingly interdependent world. As educators, we should
stress the importance of students incorporating an international
experience into their curriculum of study."

Students can benefit from the Study Abroad Fair regardless
of their major, foreign language skills, and level of undergraduate
or graduate education, Klahr says. Additionally, she notes that
options exist to meet any financial budget and to allow participants
to earn major/minor, general education or elective credits at
WMU.

This year, 476 WMU students are studying abroad in more than
30 countries on six continents in fields as diverse as business,
communication, engineering, literature and political science.